Behind Palace Doors by Jules Bennett Read Free Book Online

circumstances.”
    Olivia’s hands cupped Victoria’s shoulders as she laid her cheek against hers to look at their reflection in the mirror. “You’re beautiful, Victoria. Stefan may change his mind about you having control in the end. He may not want to let you go once his title is secure.”
    “The Playboy Prince?” Victoria joked, using his nickname. “He’ll let me go so he can shuffle back into the crowd of swooning women and place me back on that friend shelf.”
    Their kisses replayed once again in her mind. Could they go back to being just friends? Would she want them to? They hadn’t even lived together for their allotted six months and already she had fantasized about taking those kisses further. How could she not? They were definite stepping stones to more promising, erotic things.
    God, in heaven. What had she gotten herself into? She swore she wouldn’t put her heart on the line again, but how could she not when Stefan needed her? Maybe she needed him, too. More than she ever realized.
    * * *
    Hundreds of guests filed through the grounds at Alexander Palace on the edge of the emerald ocean. Cameras were positioned at every angle to capture each moment as guests entered the Grand Ballroom. The world watched as the next king and queen of Galini Isle were about to wed in what the media had dubbed the most romantic wedding of the century. Obviously the mysterious bride angle had paid off.
    Many of the headlines leading up to the nuptials had been amusing. Stefan’s personal favorite: Playboy Prince Finally Settles Down.
    The media could mock him all they wanted. He’d show them just how serious he was about this wedding...even if the idea of being wed scared the hell out of him.
    He focused his eyes to the end of the aisle and his chest constricted, breath left his lungs.
    Stefan couldn’t think. At this moment, he couldn’t even recall the exact reason he’d asked Victoria to marry him, but he was most thankful he had.
    She floated—yes, floated—down the aisle like a glorious angel coming to rescue him, wearing an original-design gown that dipped just enough in the front to have his imagination running into overdrive, while still looking classy. Two strands of pearls draped over each of her toned biceps, hinting that they’d once been straps that a lover had slid off her slender shoulders. And damn if he didn’t want to be that lover.
    The dress cut perfectly into the curve of her waist and fell straight to the ground. A shimmery veil shielded her face, and Stefan couldn’t wait to lift it, to kiss his bride and get another taste of the flavor he’d come to crave from her lips.
    Stefan knew his best friend was a walking fantasy that every man would give his last dying breath for. Well, except for that bastard she’d been engaged to. Stefan straightened his shoulders and smiled. He hoped the jerk was watching his TV and regretting letting such an amazingly talented, beautiful woman out of his life.
    Victoria’s gaze met his, and Stefan’s heart clenched as a wide smile spread across her face from behind the iridescent veil.
    “You’ve chosen a beautiful queen, Stefan. Victoria is perfect.”
    Stefan merely nodded at his brother’s whispered compliment. Mikos Alexander stood as best man, and Stefan knew his brother breathed a sigh of relief when he’d discovered the country would remain under the Alexander name. Stefan had worried when his brother had married a divorcée, thus preventing him from claiming the throne, but Victoria was a perfect fit.
    Never in his life would he forget how she’d stepped up to save him, selflessly and radiantly. Stefan moved forward, taking Victoria’s hands in his.
    She squeezed them before turning to the priest. In a blur their vows were said and the gold heirloom rings exchanged. As Stefan lifted her veil, Victoria chewed on her bottom lip as if nerves were getting the best of her.
    “You may kiss your bride.”
    Stefan wasted no time in capturing